Whereas, on
June 7, 2000, this court adopted the Nevada Short Trial Rules implementing the
short trial program and allowing parties to participate in the program by
mutual consent; and

Whereas, the
Supreme Court Advisory Committee on the Short Trial Rules filed a report with
this court on September 17, 2003, proposing amendments to the Nevada Short
Trial Rules that would mandate a short trial in certain cases; and

Whereas, the
Advisory Committee also recommended amendments to the Nevada Arbitration Rules
and the adoption of two new sets of rules: Rules Governing Alternative Dispute
Resolution and Nevada Mediation Rules; and

Whereas, the
Judges of the Eighth Judicial District Court have also petitioned this court to
amend the Nevada Arbitration Rules; and

Whereas, this
court held a public hearing on these matters and accepted public comment on the
proposed amendments to this court’s rules; and

Whereas, this
court subsequently referred draft rule amendments to the Short Trial Review
Committee to analyze and critique a modified short trial program; and

Whereas, the
Review Committee submitted its report to this court on October 25, 2004,
assessing the draft rules and prospective mandatory program; and

Whereas, it
appears to this court that amendment of the Nevada Arbitration Rules and Nevada
Short Trial Rules and adoption of Rules Governing Alternative Dispute Resolution
and Nevada Mediation Rules is warranted; and

Whereas, it
further appears to this court that reorganization of the existing court rules
is necessary to effect the expansion of the short trial program and the
implementation of the court annexed mediation program; accordingly,

It Is Hereby
Ordered that Part V of the Supreme Court Rules shall be amended by
removing Subpart A (Nevada Arbitration Rules) and Subpart B (Nevada Short Trial
Rules) from the rules.

It Is Further
Ordered that a new set of rules entitled Rules Governing
Alternative Dispute Resolution shall be adopted to govern court-annexed
alternative dispute resolution in the district courts as set forth in Exhibit
A.

It Is Further
Ordered that the Nevada Arbitration Rules shall be amended and
shall be included as Part B of the Rules Governing Alternative Dispute
Resolution as set forth in Exhibit A, and that the Nevada Mediation Rules shall
be adopted and included as Part C of the Rules Governing Alternative Dispute
Resolution as set forth in Exhibit A.

It Is Further
Ordered that the Nevada Short Trial Rules shall be readopted as a
set of rules distinct from the Supreme Court Rules and shall be amended as set
forth in Exhibit B. The existing rules are renumbered as follows: Rule 2 is
renumbered as Rule 12; Rule 3 is renumbered as Rule 1(c); Rule 4 is renumbered
as Rule 20; Rule 5 is renumbered as Rule 23; Rule 6 is renumbered as Rule 21;
Rule 7 is renumbered as Rule 15; Rule 8 is renumbered as Rule 16; Rule 9 is
renumbered as Rule 26; Rule 10 is renumbered as Rule 9; Rule 11 is renumbered
as Rule 17; Rule 12 is renumbered as Rule 25; Rule 13 is renumbered as Rule 10;
Rule 14 is renumbered as Rule 18; Rule 15 is renumbered as Rule 27; Rule 16 is
renumbered as Rule 33; Rule 17 is renumbered as Rule 3; Rule 18 is renumbered
as Rule 28; Rule 19 is renumbered as Rule 31; Rule 20 is renumbered as Rule 14;
Rule 21 is renumbered as Rule 34. In addition, Rules 2, 4 through 8, 11, 13,
19, 22, 24, 29, 30, 32 and 35 are new.

It Is Further
Ordered that the amendments to the Nevada Arbitration Rules and
Nevada Short Trial Rules shall become effective January 1, 2005, and shall
govern all proceedings commenced after that date, and that the Rules Governing
Alternative Dispute Resolution and the Nevada Mediation Rules are adopted
effective March 1, 2005, and shall govern all proceedings commenced after that
date.

It Is Further
Ordered that the clerk of this court shall cause a notice of entry
of this order to be published in the official publication of the State Bar of
Nevada. Publication of this order shall be accomplished by the clerk
disseminating copies of this order to all subscribers of the advance sheets of
the Nevada Reports and all persons and agencies listed in NRS 2.345, and to the executive
director of the State Bar of Nevada. The certificate of the clerk of this court
as to the accomplishment of the above-described publication of notice of entry
and dissemination of this order shall be conclusive evidence of the adoption
and publication of the foregoing rule amendments.

Dated this 22nd day of December, 2004.

BY THE COURT

Miriam Shearing, Chief Justice

Deborah A. Agosti Robert
E. Rose

Associate
Justice Associate
Justice

Nancy A. Becker A.
William Maupin

Associate
Justice Associate
Justice

Mark Gibbons Michael
L. Douglas

Associate
Justice Associate
Justice

TABLE OF CHANGES TO RULES GOVERNING ALTERNATIVE DISPUTE
RESOLUTION

Key: “A” amended; “N” added; “R” repealed; “T” transferred.

General Provisions

Effective

Rule Key Date

1..................... N.................................. 3/1/05

2..................... N.................................. 3/1/05

Nevada Arbitration Rules

Effective

Rule Key Date

1..................... N.................................. 7/1/92

A.................................. 5/7/92

A.................................. 1/1/05

2..................... N.................................. 7/1/92

A.................................. 5/7/92

A............................... 12/24/97

A.................................. 1/1/05

3..................... N.................................. 7/1/92

A.................................. 5/7/92

A............................... 10/24/93

A.................................. 1/1/96

A............................... 12/24/97

A.................................. 1/1/05

A................................ 3/14/07

4..................... N.................................. 7/1/92

A.................................. 5/7/92

A............................... 12/24/97

A.................................. 1/1/05

5..................... N.................................. 7/1/92

A.................................. 5/7/92

A............................... 10/24/93

A............................... 12/24/97

A.................................. 1/1/05

6..................... N.................................. 7/1/92

A.................................. 5/7/92

A............................... 10/24/93

A............................... 12/24/97

A.................................. 1/1/05

7..................... N.................................. 7/1/92

A.................................. 5/7/92

A............................... 12/24/97

A................................ 6/18/01

A................................ 9/24/02

A.................................. 1/1/05

A.................................. 1/1/08

8..................... N.................................. 7/1/92

A.................................. 5/7/92

A............................... 10/24/93

A............................... 12/24/97

A.................................. 1/1/05

9..................... N.................................. 7/1/92

10................... N.................................. 7/1/92

A.................................. 5/7/92

11................... N.................................. 7/1/92

A.................................. 5/7/92

A............................... 10/24/93

A............................... 12/24/97

A.................................. 1/1/05

12................... N.................................. 7/1/92

A.................................. 5/7/92

A............................... 12/24/97

A.................................. 1/1/05

13................... N.................................. 7/1/92

A.................................. 1/1/05

14................... N.................................. 7/1/92

15................... N.................................. 7/1/92

16................... N.................................. 7/1/92

A.................................. 5/7/92

A............................... 10/24/93

A.................................. 1/1/96

A............................... 12/24/97

A.................................. 1/1/05

A................................ 3/14/07

17................... N.................................. 7/1/92

A.................................. 5/7/92

A............................... 10/24/93

A............................... 12/24/97

A.................................. 1/1/05

18................... N.................................. 7/1/92

A.................................. 5/7/92

A............................... 12/24/97

A.................................. 1/1/05

19................... N.................................. 7/1/92

A.................................. 5/7/92

A............................... 10/24/93

A............................... 12/24/97

A.................................. 1/1/05

20................... N.................................. 7/1/92

A.................................. 5/7/92

A................................ 4/27/00

A................................ 6/27/03

A.................................. 1/1/05

21................... N.................................. 7/1/92

A.................................. 1/1/05

22................... N.................................. 7/1/92

A............................... 12/24/97

23................... N.................................. 7/1/92

A.................................. 5/7/92

A............................... 10/24/93

A............................... 12/24/97

A.................................. 1/1/05

24................... N.................................. 7/1/92

A.................................. 5/7/92

A............................... 10/24/93

A................................ 4/27/00

A............................... 12/24/01

A.................................. 1/1/05

Nevada
Mediation Rules

Effective

Rule Key Date

1..................... N.................................. 3/1/05

2..................... N.................................. 3/1/05

3..................... N.................................. 3/1/05

4..................... N.................................. 3/1/05

5..................... N.................................. 3/1/05

6..................... N.................................. 3/1/05

7..................... N.................................. 3/1/05

8..................... N.................................. 3/1/05

9..................... N.................................. 3/1/05

10................... N.................................. 3/1/05

11................... N.................................. 3/1/05

RULES GOVERNING ALTERNATIVE DISPUTE RESOLUTION

A. GENERAL PROVISIONS

Rule 1. Definitions.As
used in these rules:

(A) “Arbitration” means a process whereby
a neutral third person, called an arbitrator, considers the facts and arguments
presented by the parties and renders a decision, which may be binding or
nonbinding as provided in these rules.

(B) “Mediation” means a process whereby a
neutral third person, called a mediator, acts to encourage and facilitate the
resolution of a dispute between two or more parties. It is an informal and
nonadversarial process with the objective of helping the disputing parties
reach a mutually acceptable and voluntary agreement. In mediation,
decision-making authority rests with the parties. The role of the mediator
includes, but is not limited to, assisting the parties in identifying issues,
fostering joint problem solving, and exploring settlement alternatives.

(C) “Settlement conference” is a process
whereby, with the approval of the district judge to whom the case is assigned,
a district court judge not assigned to the particular case, senior judge,
special master, referee or other neutral third person, conducts, in the
presence of the parties and their attorneys and person or persons with
authority to resolve the matter, a conference for the purpose of facilitating
settlement of the case.

[Added; effective March 1, 2005.]

Rule 2. Forms of court annexed alternative dispute resolution.

(A) For certain civil cases commenced in
judicial districts that include a county whose population is 100,000 or more,
there shall be made available the following forms of court annexed alternative
dispute resolution:

(1) Arbitration, pursuant to Subpart B of
these rules;

(2) Mediation, pursuant to Subpart C of
these rules;

(3) Settlement conference, as provided
herein; and

(4) Such other alternative dispute
resolution mechanisms contemplated by NRS
38.250 as may from time to time be promulgated.

(B) Judicial districts having a lesser
population may adopt local rules implementing all or part of these forms of
alternative dispute resolution.

(C) Each district may appoint an
alternative dispute resolution commissioner to serve at the pleasure of the
court. The alternative dispute resolution commissioner (hereafter the
commissioner) may be an arbitration commissioner, discovery commissioner, short
trial commissioner, other special master, or any qualified and licensed Nevada
attorney appointed by the court. The appointment shall be made in accordance
with local rules. The commissioner so appointed shall have the responsibilities
and powers conferred by these Alternative Dispute Resolution Rules and any
local rules.

[Added; effective March 1, 2005.]

B. NEVADA ARBITRATION RULES

Rule 1. The court annexed arbitration program.The
Court Annexed Arbitration Program (the program) is a mandatory, non-binding arbitration
program, as hereinafter described, for certain civil cases commenced in
judicial districts that include a county whose population is 100,000 or more.
Judicial districts having a lesser population may adopt local rules
implementing all or part of the program.

[Added; effective July 1, 1992; amended effective
January 1, 2005.]

Rule 2.Intent of program and application of rules.

(A) The purpose of the program is to
provide a simplified procedure for obtaining a prompt and equitable resolution
of certain civil matters.

(B) These rules shall apply to all
arbitration proceedings commenced in the program.

(C) These arbitration rules are not
intended, nor should they be construed, to address every issue which may arise
during the arbitration process. The intent of these rules is to give
considerable discretion to the arbitrator, the commissioner and the district
judge. Arbitration hearings are intended to be informal, expeditious and
consistent with the purposes and intent of these rules.

(D) These rules may be known and cited as
the Nevada Arbitration Rules, or abbreviated N.A.R.

[Added; effective July 1, 1992; amended effective
January 1, 2005.]

Rule 3.Matters subject to arbitration.

(A) All civil cases commenced in the
district courts that have a probable jury award value not in excess of $50,000
per plaintiff, exclusive of interest and costs, and regardless of comparative
liability, are subject to the program, except class actions, appeals from
courts of limited jurisdiction, probate actions, divorce and other domestic
relations actions, actions seeking judicial review of administrative decisions,
actions concerning title to real estate, actions for declaratory relief,
actions governed by the provisions of NRS 41A.003 to 41A.069, inclusive, actions
presenting significant issues of public policy, actions in which the parties
have agreed in writing to submit the controversy to arbitration or other
alternative dispute resolution method prior to the accrual of the cause of
action, actions seeking equitable or extraordinary relief, actions that present
unusual circumstances that constitute good cause for removal from the program,
actions in which any of the parties is incarcerated and actions utilizing
mediation pursuant to Subpart C of these rules.

(B) Any civil case, regardless of the
monetary value, the amount in controversy, or the relief sought, may be
submitted to the program upon the agreement of all parties and the approval of
the district judge to whom the case is assigned.

(C) While a case is in the program, the
parties may, with the approval of the district judge to whom the case is
assigned, stipulate, or the court may order that a settlement conference,
mediation proceeding, or other appropriate settlement technique be conducted by
another district judge, a senior judge, or a special master. The settlement
procedure conducted pursuant to this subdivision will extend by no more than 30
days the timetable set forth in these rules for resolving cases in the program.

(D) Parties to cases submitted or ordered
to the program may agree at any time to be bound by any arbitration ruling or
award. If the parties agree to be bound by the decision of the arbitrator, the
procedures set forth in these rules governing trials de novo will not apply to
the case. The parties may, however, either confirm, vacate or modify the
decision of the arbitrator in the manner authorized by NRS 38.135, 38.145 and 38.155.

(E) In cases where any party’s claim
qualifies for exemption, any other party’s claim, though suitable for
arbitration, may be included with the exempt claims in the district court
action for the convenience of the litigants, if the party with the claim qualified
for arbitration so requests.

[Added; effective July 1, 1992; amended effective
March 14, 2007.]

Rule 4.Relationship to district court jurisdiction and rules.

(A) Cases filed in the district court
shall remain under the jurisdiction of that court for all phases of the
proceedings, including arbitration.

(B) The district court having jurisdiction
over a case has the authority to act on or interpret these rules.

(C) Before a case is submitted or ordered
to the program, and after a request for trial de novo is filed, and except as
hereinafter stated, all applicable rules of the district court, the Nevada
Short Trial Rules, and the Nevada Rules of Civil Procedure apply. After a case
is submitted or ordered to the program, and before a request for trial de novo
is filed, or until the case is removed from the program, these rules apply.
Except as stated elsewhere herein, once a case is accepted or remanded into the
program, the requirements of N.R.C.P.
16.1 do not apply.

(D) The calculation of time and the
requirements of service of pleadings and documents under these rules are the
same as under the Nevada Rules of Civil Procedure. The commissioner or the
commissioner’s designee shall serve all rulings of the commissioner on any
matter as defined in N.R.C.P. 5(b);
additionally, in the Eighth Judicial District, service may also be made by the
commissioner’s designee placing the ruling or other communication in the
attorney’s folder in the clerk’s office. Whenever a party is required or
permitted to do an act within a prescribed period after service of a ruling by
mail or by placement in the attorney’s folder, 3 days shall be added to the
prescribed period.

(E) During the pendency of arbitration
proceedings conducted pursuant to these rules, no motion may be filed in the
district court by any party, except motions that are dispositive of the action,
or any portion thereof, motions to amend, consolidate, withdraw, intervene, or
motions made pursuant to Rule 3(C), requesting a settlement conference,
mediation proceeding or other appropriate settlement technique. Any of the
foregoing motions must be filed no later than 45 days prior to the arbitration
hearing, or said motion may be foreclosed by the judge and/or sanctions may be
imposed. A copy of all motions and orders resulting therefrom shall be served
upon the arbitrator.

(F) Once a case is submitted or ordered to
the program all parties subsequently joined in the action shall be parties to
the arbitration unless dismissed by the district judge to whom the case is
assigned.

(G) Except as otherwise provided in these
rules, all disputed issues arising under these rules must be resolved in the
manner set forth in Rule 8(B).

[Added; effective July 1, 1992; amended effective
January 1, 2005.]

Rule 5.Exemptions from arbitration.

(A) A party claiming an exemption from the
program pursuant to Rule 3(A) on grounds other than the amount in controversy,
the presentation of significant issues of public policy, or the presentation of
unusual circumstances that constitute good cause for removal from the program
will not be required to file a request for exemption if the initial pleading
specifically designates the category of claimed exemption in the caption.
Otherwise, if a party believes that a case should not be in the program, that
party must file with the commissioner a request to exempt the case from the
program and serve the request on any party who has appeared in the action. The
request for exemption must be filed within 20 days after the filing of an
answer by the first answering defendant, and the party requesting the exemption
must certify that his or her case is included in one of the categories of
exempt cases listed in Rule 3. The request for exemption must also include a
summary of facts which supports the party’s contentions. For good cause shown,
an appropriate case may be removed from the program upon the filing of an
untimely request for exemption; however, such filing may subject the requesting
party to sanctions by the commissioner.

(B) Any opposition to a request for
exemption from arbitration must be filed with the commissioner and served upon
all appearing parties within 5 days of service of the request for exemption.

(C) The parties may file a joint request
for exemption.

(D) Where requests for exemptions from
arbitration are filed, the commissioner shall review the contentions, facts and
evidence available and determine whether an exemption is warranted. The
commissioner may require that a party submit additional facts supporting the
party’s contentions. Any objection(s) to the commissioner’s decision must be
filed with the commissioner who shall then notify the district judge to whom
the case is assigned. Objections must be filed within 5 days of the date the
commissioner’s decision is served, with service to all parties.

(E) The district judge to whom a case is
assigned shall make all final determinations regarding the arbitrability of a
case and may hold a hearing on the issue of arbitrability, if necessary. The
district judge’s determination of such an issue is not reviewable.

(F) The district judge to whom a case is
assigned may impose any sanction authorized by N.R.C.P. 11 against any party who
without good cause or justification attempts to remove a case from the program.

(G) Any party to any action has standing
to seek alternative dispute resolution under these rules.

[Added; effective July 1, 1992; amended effective
January 1, 2005.]

Rule 6.Assignment to arbitrator.

(A) Parties may stipulate to use a private
arbitrator or arbitrators who are not on the panel of arbitrators assigned to
the program, or who are on the panel but who have agreed to serve on a private
basis. Such stipulations must be made and filed with the commissioner no later
than the date set for the return of the arbitration selection list and may
require the use of any alternative dispute resolution procedure to resolve the
dispute. The stipulation must include an affidavit that is signed and verified
by the arbitrator expressing his or her willingness to comply with the
timetables set forth in these rules. Failure to file a timely stipulation shall
not preclude the use of a private arbitrator, but may subject the dilatory
parties to sanctions by the commissioner.

(B) Any and all fees or expenses related
to the use of a private arbitrator, or the use of any other alternative dispute
resolution procedure, shall be borne by the parties.

(C) Unless a request for exemption is
filed, the commissioner shall serve the two adverse appearing parties with
identical lists of 5 arbitrators selected at random from the panel of
arbitrators assigned to the program.

(1) Thereafter, the parties shall, within
10 days, file with the commissioner either a private arbitrator stipulation and
affidavit or each party shall file the selection list with no more than two (2)
names stricken.

(2) If both parties respond, the
commissioner shall appoint an arbitrator from among those names not stricken.

(3) If only one party responds within the
10-day period, the commissioner shall appoint an arbitrator from among those
names not stricken.

(4) If neither party responds within the
10-day period, the commissioner will appoint one of the 5 arbitrators.

(5) If there are more than 2 adverse
parties, 2 additional arbitrators per each additional party shall be added to
the list with the above method of selection and service to apply. For purposes
of this rule, if several parties are represented by one attorney, they shall be
considered as one party.

(D) If a request for exemption is filed
and denied, the commissioner shall, within 5 days after the time has expired
for filing an objection to the commissioner’s denial of the request, or within
5 days after the district judge’s decision on such an objection, serve the
parties with identical lists of 5 arbitrators as provided in subsection (C) of
this rule.

(E) Where an arbitrator is assigned to a
case and additional parties subsequently appear in the action, the additional
parties may object to the arbitrator assigned to the case within 10 days of the
date of the party’s appearance in the action. Objections must be in writing,
state specific grounds, be served on all other appearing parties and filed with
the commissioner, who will review the objections and render a decision. This
decision may be appealed to the district judge to whom the case is assigned. The
notice of appeal shall be filed with the commissioner within 10 days of the
date of service of the commissioner’s decision. The commissioner shall then
notify the district judge of the appeal.

(F) If the selection process outlined
above fails for any reason, including a recusal by the arbitrator, the
commissioner shall repeat the process set forth in subdivision (C) of this rule
to select an alternate arbitrator.

[Added; effective July 1, 1992; amended effective
January 1, 2005.]

Rule 7.Qualifications of arbitrators.

(A) Each commissioner shall create and
maintain a panel of arbitrators consisting of attorneys licensed to practice
law in Nevada and a separate panel of non-attorney arbitrators. An application
for appointment to the panel of arbitrators is filed with the admissions
director of the State Bar of Nevada on a form approved by the supreme court,
together with a $150 application fee. The state bar shall investigate the
applicant’s qualifications and fitness to serve as an arbitrator, including,
but not limited to, verification of the applicant’s educational background,
employment history, professional licensure and any related disciplinary
proceedings, and criminal history. The state bar may charge applicants for the
non-lawyer panel of arbitrators an appropriate fee to cover the expense of its
investigation. No later than 90 days from the date of referral, the state bar
shall transmit to the supreme court a certificate concerning the applicant’s
qualifications and fitness, as follows:

(1) Whether the applicant meets the
minimum experience requirements of this rule;

(2) Whether the applicant has been subject
to disciplinary proceedings involving any license; if so, the nature and result
of those proceedings;

(3) Whether the applicant has a criminal
history; if so, the details of that history;

(4) Whether the applicant has ever been
named as a defendant in any proceeding involving fraud, misappropriation of
funds, misrepresentation or breach of fiduciary duty; if so, the nature and
resolution of such proceedings; and

(5) Whether the state bar’s investigation
revealed any other matter pertinent to the applicant’s qualifications or
fitness; if so, the details of the matter and how it relates to the applicant’s
potential service as an arbitrator.

(B) Non-attorney arbitrators must: (i) be
listed on the roster of approved arbitrators of the American Arbitration
Association or a similar, reputable arbitration service, or (ii) have a juris
doctorate degree and 8 years of work experience in their areas of expertise.
Attorney arbitrators must be licensed to practice law in Nevada and shall have
practiced law a minimum of 8 years in any jurisdiction.

(C) Arbitrators shall be required to
complete an arbitrator training program in conjunction with their selection to
the panel. The program completed must be one offered by the State Bar of Nevada
specific to the court annexed arbitration program or, alternatively, a program
that is approved for continuing legal education credits in Nevada for the same
number of hours as the state bar’s program. The court may also require
arbitrators to complete additional training sessions or classes.

(D) Arbitrators shall be sworn or affirmed
to uphold these rules of the program, and the laws of the State of Nevada by
any person authorized to administer the official oath under NRS 281.030(3).

(E) An arbitrator who would be
disqualified for any reason that would disqualify a judge under the Nevada Code
of Judicial Conduct shall immediately recuse himself/herself or be withdrawn as
an arbitrator.

(F) Any issue concerning the participation
or disqualification of a person on the panel of arbitrators shall be referred
to the commissioner for a final determination.

[Added; effective July 1, 1992; amended effective
January 1, 2008.]

Rule 8.Authority of arbitrators.

(A) Arbitrators hear cases admitted to the
program and shall render awards in accordance with these rules. The powers of
the arbitrators shall include, but not be limited to, the powers:

(1) To administer oaths or affirmations to
witnesses;

(2) To relax all applicable rules of
evidence and procedure to effectuate a speedy and economical resolution of the
case without sacrificing a party’s right to a full and fair hearing on the
merits.

(B) Any challenge to the authority or
action of an arbitrator shall be filed with the commissioner and served upon
the other parties and the arbitrator within 10 days of the date of the
challenged decision or action. Any opposition to the challenge must be filed
with the commissioner and served upon the other parties within 5 days of
service of the challenge. The commissioner shall rule on the issue in due
course. Judicial review of the ruling of the commissioner may be obtained by
filing a petition for such review with the commissioner within 10 days of the
date of service of the commissioner’s ruling. The commissioner shall then
notify the district judge to whom the case is assigned of the petition and may
enter an appropriate stay pending review by the district judge. The district
judge to whom the case is assigned shall have the non-reviewable power to
uphold, overturn or modify the commissioner’s ruling, including the power to
stay any proceeding.

[Added; effective July 1, 1992; amended effective
January 1, 2005.]

Rule 9.Stipulations and other documents. During the
course of arbitration proceedings commenced under these rules, no document
other than the motions permitted by Rule 4 may be filed with the district
court. All stipulations, motions and other documents relevant to the
arbitration proceeding must be lodged with the arbitrator.

[Added; effective July 1, 1992.]

Rule 10.Restrictions on communications.

(A) Neither counsel nor parties may
communicate directly with the arbitrator regarding the merits of the case,
except in the presence of, or with reasonable notice to, all of the other
parties.

(B) Unless otherwise agreed in writing by
all parties, no offer or demand of settlement made by any party shall be
disclosed to the arbitrator prior to the filing of an award.

[Added; effective July 1, 1992; amended effective May
7, 1992.]

Rule 11.Discovery.

(A) Within 30 days after the appointment
of the arbitrator, the parties must meet with the arbitrator to confer,
exchange documents, identify witnesses known to the parties which would
otherwise be required pursuant to N.R.C.P.
16.1, and to formulate a discovery plan, if necessary. The conference may
be held by telephone in the discretion of the arbitrator. The extent to which
discovery is allowed, if at all, is in the discretion of the arbitrator, who
must make every effort to ensure that the discovery, if any, is neither costly
nor burdensome. Types of discovery shall be those permitted by the Nevada Rules
of Civil Procedure, but may be modified in the discretion of the arbitrator to
save time and expense.

(B) It is the obligation of the plaintiff
to notify the arbitrator prior to the conference, if other parties have
appeared in the action subsequent to the appointment of the arbitrator.

[Added; effective July 1, 1992; amended effective
January 1, 2005.]

Rule 12.Scheduling of hearings; pre-hearing conferences.

(A) Except as otherwise provided by this
rule, all arbitrations shall take place and all awards must be filed no later
than 6 months from the date of the arbitrator’s appointment. Arbitrators shall
set the time and date of the hearing within this period.

(B) The arbitration hearing date may be
advanced or continued by the arbitrator for good cause upon written request
from either party. The arbitrator may not grant a request for a continuance of
the hearing beyond a period of 9 months from the date of the arbitrator’s
appointment without written permission from the commissioner. Any such request
for permission for an extension beyond the 9-month period must be made in
writing to the commissioner by the arbitrator. The commissioner may permit such
an extension upon a showing of unusual circumstances. All arbitration hearings
must take place within one year of the date on which the arbitrator is
appointed.

(1) Arbitration hearings which take place
in violation of this Rule may subject the parties, their counsel, and/or the
arbitrator to sanctions which can include:

(a) loss or reduction of the
arbitrator’s fee;

(b) temporary suspension of the
arbitrator from the panel;

(c) monetary sanctions assessed
against the parties or counsel.

(2) Additionally, if the arbitration
hearing does not take place within one year of the appointment of the
arbitrator, the case may be subject to dismissal or entry of default.

(C) Consolidated actions shall be heard on
the date assigned to the latest case involved, to be heard by the earliest
appointed arbitrator.

(D) Arbitrators or the commissioner may,
at their discretion, conduct pre-arbitration hearings or conferences. However,
the pre-hearing conference required by Rule 11 must be conducted within 30 days
from the date a case is assigned to an arbitrator.

(E) The arbitrator shall give immediate
written notification to the commissioner of the arbitration date and any change
thereof, any settlement or any change of counsel.

[Added; effective July 1, 1992; amended effective
January 1, 2005.]

Rule 13.Pre-hearing statement.

(A) At least 10 days prior to the date of
the arbitration hearing, each party shall furnish the arbitrator and serve upon
all other parties a statement containing a final list of witnesses whom the
party intends to call at the arbitration hearing, and a list of exhibits and
documentary evidence anticipated to be introduced. The statement shall contain
a brief description of the matters about which each witness will be called to
testify. Each party shall, simultaneously with the submission of the final list
of witnesses described above, make all exhibits and documentary evidence
available for inspection and copying by other parties.

(B) A party failing to comply with this
rule, or failing to comply with any discovery order, may not present at the
arbitration hearing a witness or exhibit not previously furnished pursuant to
this rule, except with the permission of the arbitrator upon a showing of
unforeseen and unusual circumstance.

(C) Each party shall furnish to the
arbitrator at least 10 days prior to the arbitration hearing copies of any
pleadings and other documents contained in the court file which that party
deems relevant.

[Added; effective July 1, 1992; amended effective
January 1, 2005.]

Rule 14.Conduct of the hearing.

(A) The arbitrator shall have complete
discretion over the conduct of the hearing.

(B) Any party may, at its own expense,
cause the arbitration hearing to be reported.

[Added; effective July 1, 1992.]

Rule 15.Arbitration in the absence of a party. An
arbitration may proceed in the absence of any party who, after due notice,
fails to be present or fails to obtain a continuance. The arbitrator shall
require that the party present submit such evidence as he or she may require
for the making of an award, and may offer the absent party an opportunity to
appear at a subsequent hearing, if such a hearing is deemed appropriate by the
arbitrator.

[Added; effective July 1, 1992.]

Rule 16.Form and content of
award.

(A) Awards shall be in writing and signed
by the arbitrator.

(B) The arbitrator shall determine all
issues raised by the pleadings in cases that are subject to arbitration under
the program, including issues of comparative negligence, if any, damages, if
any, and costs. The maximum award that can be rendered by the arbitrator is
$50,000 per plaintiff, exclusive of attorney’s fees, interest and costs.

(C) Findings of fact and conclusions of
law, or a written opinion stating the reasons for the arbitrator’s decision,
may be prepared at the discretion of the arbitrator.

(E) Attorney’s fees awarded by the
arbitrator may not exceed $3,000, unless the compensation of an attorney is
governed by an agreement between the parties allowing a greater award.

(F) After an award is made the arbitrator
shall return all exhibits to the parties who offered them during the hearing.

[Added; effective July 1, 1992; amended effective
March 14, 2007.]

Rule 17.Filing of award.

(A) Within 7 days after the conclusion of
the arbitration hearing, or 30 days after the receipt of the final authorized
memoranda of counsel, the arbitrator shall file the award with the
commissioner, and also serve copies of the award on the attorneys of record,
and on any unrepresented parties. Application must be made by the arbitrator to
the commissioner for an extension of these time periods.

(B) Applications for attorney’s fees,
costs and/or interest pursuant to any statute or rule must be filed with the
arbitrator and served on the other parties within 5 days after service of the
award on the applicant; failure to make timely application shall act as a
jurisdictional waiver of any right to fees, costs or interest. Responses to
such applications must be filed with the arbitrator and served on the other
parties within 5 days after service of the application on the responding party.
Rulings on applications under this subsection must be filed with the
commissioner by the arbitrator and served on all parties within 5 days after
the deadline for responses to such applications.

(1) Applications for relief under this
subsection do not toll the time periods specified in Rules 18 or 19.

(2) Decisions on applications for relief
under this rule do not constitute amended awards and shall not be designated as
such by the arbitrator.

(3) Any grant of fees, costs, and/or
interest shall be included in any judgment on the arbitration award submitted
by a prevailing party pursuant to Rule 19.

(C) No amended award shall be filed by the
arbitrator, but for good cause the arbitrator may file with the commissioner
and serve on the parties a request to amend the award, as long as such request
is filed within 20 days from the date of service of the original award.

(1) If the commissioner decides an amended
award is warranted, the commissioner will issue, file and serve such amended
award.

(2) Upon the issuance of an amended
arbitration award, the time for requesting a trial de novo pursuant to Rule 18
or notifying a prevailing party to enter judgment pursuant to Rule 19 will
begin anew upon service on the parties. Any request for a trial de novo filed
before an amended arbitration award is issued shall be rendered ineffective by
the amended award.

(D) This rule does not authorize the use
of an amended award to change the arbitrator’s decision on the merits.

(E) Failure of the arbitrator to timely
file the award or timely rule on an application for fees, costs and/or interest
may subject the arbitrator to a forfeiture (waiver) of part or all of the
arbitrator’s fees. Repeated failure shall lead to the arbitrator’s removal from
the panel.

[Added; effective July 1, 1992; amended effective
January 1, 2005.]

Rule 18. Request for trial de
novo.

(A) Within 30 days after the arbitration
award is served upon the parties, any party may file with the clerk of the
court and serve on the other parties and the commissioner a written request for
trial de novo of the action. Any party requesting a trial de novo must certify
that all arbitrator fees and costs for such party have been paid or shall be paid
within 30 days, or that an objection is pending and any balance of fees or
costs shall be paid in accordance with subsection (C) of this rule.

(B) The 30-day filing requirement is
jurisdictional; an untimely request for trial de novo shall not be considered
by the district court.

(C) Any party who has failed to pay the
arbitrator’s bill in accordance with this rule shall be deemed to have waived
the right to a trial de novo; if a timely objection to the arbitrator’s bill
has been filed with the commissioner pursuant to Nevada
Arbitration Rules 23 and/or 24, a party shall have
10 days from the date of service of the commissioner’s decision in which to pay
any remaining balance owing on said bill. No such objection shall toll the
30-day filing requirement of subsection (B) of this rule.

(D) Any party to the action is entitled to
the benefit of a timely filed request for trial de novo. Subject to Rule 22,
the case shall proceed in the district court as to all parties in the action
unless otherwise stipulated by all appearing parties in the arbitration. In
judicial districts that are required to provide a short trial program under the
Nevada Short Trial Rules, the trial de novo shall proceed in accordance with
the Nevada Short Trial Rules, unless a party timely filed a demand for removal
from the short trial program as provided in N.S.T.R. 5.

(E) After the filing and service of the
written request for trial de novo, the case shall be set for trial upon
compliance with applicable court rules. In judicial districts that are required
to provide a short trial program under the Nevada Short Trial Rules, the case
shall be set for trial as provided in those rules, unless a party timely filed
a demand for removal from the short trial program as provided in N.S.T.R. 5.

(F) If the district court strikes, denies,
or dismisses a request for trial de novo for any reason, the court shall
explain its reasons in writing and shall enter a final judgment in accordance
with the arbitration award. A judgment entered pursuant to this rule shall have
the same force and effect as a final judgment of the court in a civil action,
and may be appealed in the same manner. Review on appeal, however, is limited
to the order striking, denying, or dismissing the trial de novo request and/or
a written interlocutory order disposing of a portion of the action.

(G) A motion to strike a request for trial
de novo may not be filed more than 30 days after service of the request for
trial de novo.

[Added; effective July 1, 1992; amended effective
January 1, 2005.]

Rule 19.Judgment on award.

(A) Upon notification to the prevailing
party by the commissioner that no party has filed a written request for trial
de novo within 30 days after service of the award on the parties, the prevailing
party shall submit to the commissioner a form of final judgment in accordance
with the arbitration award, including any grant of fees, costs and/or interest,
which judgment shall then be submitted for signature to the district judge to
whom the case was assigned; the judgment must then be filed with the clerk.

(B) A judgment entered pursuant to this
rule shall have the same force and effect as a final judgment of the court in a
civil action, but may not be appealed. Except that an appeal may be taken from
the judgment if the district court entered a written interlocutory order
disposing of a portion of the action. Review on appeal, however, is limited to
the interlocutory order and no issues determined by the arbitration will be
considered.

(C) Although clerical mistakes in
judgments and errors therein arising from oversight or omission may be
corrected by the court at any time on its own initiative or on the motion of
any party, no other amendment of or relief from a judgment entered pursuant to
this rule shall be allowed.

[Added; effective July 1, 1992; amended effective
January 1, 2005.]

Rule 20.Procedures at trial de
novo.

(A) Evidence. If a trial de novo is
requested, the arbitration award shall be admitted as evidence in the trial de
novo, and all discovery obtained during the course of the arbitration
proceedings shall be admissible in the trial de novo, subject to all applicable
rules of civil procedure and evidence.

(B) Attorney fees; costs; interest.

(1) The prevailing party at the trial de
novo is entitled to all recoverable fees, costs, and interest pursuant to
statute or N.R.C.P. 68.

(2) Exclusive of any award of fees and
costs under subsection (1), a party is entitled to a separate award of
attorney’s fees and costs as set forth in (a) and (b) below.

(a) Awards of $20,000 or less. Where
the arbitration award is $20,000 or less, and the party requesting the trial de
novo fails to obtain a judgment that exceeds the arbitration award by at least
20 percent of the award, the non-requesting party is entitled to its attorney’s
fees and costs associated with the proceedings following the request for trial
de novo. Conversely, if the requesting party fails to obtain a judgment that
reduces by at least 20 percent the amount for which that party is liable under
the arbitration award, the non-requesting party is entitled to its attorney’s
fees and costs associated with the proceedings following the request for trial
de novo.

(b) Awards over $20,000. Where the
arbitration award is more than $20,000, and the party requesting the trial de
novo fails to obtain a judgment that exceeds the arbitration award by at least
10 percent of the award, the non-requesting party is entitled to its attorney’s
fees and costs associated with the proceedings following the request for trial
de novo. Conversely, if the requesting party fails to obtain a judgment that
reduces by at least 10 percent the amount for which that party is liable under
the arbitration award, the non-requesting party is entitled to its attorney’s
fees and costs associated with the proceedings following the request for trial
de novo.

(3) In comparing the arbitration award and
the judgment, the court shall not include costs, attorney’s fees, and interest
with respect to the amount of the award or judgment. If multiple parties are
involved in the action, the court shall consider each party’s respective award
and judgment in making its comparison between the award and judgment.

[Added; effective July 1, 1992; amended effective
January 1, 2005.]

Rule 21.Scheduling of trial de novo.

(A) In judicial districts required to
provide a short trial program under the Nevada Short Trial Rules, a trial de
novo shall be processed as provided in those rules, unless a party timely filed
a demand for removal from the short trial program as provided in N.S.T.R. 5. Cases that are removed
from the short trial program will not be given preference on the trial calendar
of the district court simply because those cases were subject to arbitration
proceedings pursuant to these rules. Trials de novo in cases removed from the
short trial program will be processed in the ordinary course of the district
court’s business.

(B) In judicial districts that do not
provide a short trial program, cases requiring a trial de novo will not be
given preference on the trial calendar of the district court simply because
those cases were subject to arbitration proceedings pursuant to these rules.
Trials de novo will be processed in the ordinary course of the district court’s
business.

[Added; effective July 1, 1992; amended effective
January 1, 2005.]

Rule 22. Sanctions.

(A) The failure of a party or an attorney
to either prosecute or defend a case in good faith during the arbitration
proceedings shall constitute a waiver of the right to a trial de novo.

(B) If, during the proceedings in the
trial de novo, the district court determines that a party or attorney engaged
in conduct designed to obstruct, delay or otherwise adversely affect the
arbitration proceedings, it may impose, in its discretion, any sanction
authorized by N.R.C.P. 11 or N.R.C.P. 37.

[Added; effective July 1, 1992; amended effective
December 24, 1997.]

Rule 23.Costs.

(A) The arbitrator is entitled to recover
the costs, not to exceed $250, that the arbitrator reasonably incurs in
processing and deciding an action. Costs recoverable by the arbitrator are
limited to:

1. Reasonable costs for
telecopies;

2. Reasonable costs for
photocopies;

3. Reasonable costs for
long distance telephone calls;

4. Reasonable costs for
postage;

5. Reasonable costs for
travel and lodging; and

6. Reasonable costs for
secretarial services.

(B) To recover such costs, the arbitrator
must submit to the parties an itemized bill of costs within 15 days of the date
that the arbitrator serves the award in an action; within 15 days of notice of
removal of the case from the program by resolution or exemption; or within 15
days of notice of change of arbitrator, whichever date is earliest.

(C) Costs must be borne equally by the
parties to the arbitration, and must be paid to the arbitrator within 10 days
of the date that the arbitrator serves the bill reflecting the arbitrator’s
costs. If any party fails to pay that party’s portion of the arbitrator’s costs
within the time prescribed in this subsection, the district court shall, after
giving appropriate notice and opportunity to be heard, enter a judgment and a
writ of execution against the delinquent party for the amount owed by that
party to the arbitrator, plus any costs and attorney’s fees incurred by the
arbitrator in the collection of the costs. If one of the parties to the
arbitration is an indigent person who was exempted pursuant to NRS 12.015 from paying a filing
fee, the arbitrator may not collect costs from any party to the arbitration.

(D) All disputes regarding the propriety
of an item of costs must be filed with the commissioner within 5 days of the
date that the arbitrator serves the bill reflecting the arbitrator’s costs, and
resolved by the commissioner.

(E) For purposes of this rule, if several
parties are represented by one attorney, they shall be considered as one party.

[Added; effective July 1, 1992; amended effective
January 1, 2005.]

Rule 24.Fees for arbitrators.

(A) Arbitrators appointed to hear cases
pursuant to these rules are entitled to be compensated at the rate of $100 per
hour to a maximum of $1,000 per case unless otherwise authorized by the
commissioner for good cause shown. If required by the arbitrator, each party to
the arbitration shall submit, within 30 days of request by the arbitrator, a
sum of up to $250 as an advance toward the arbitrator’s fees and costs. If a
party fails to pay the required advance, the party may be subject to sanctions,
including an award dismissing the complaint or entry of the non-complying
party’s default.

(B) To recover any fee, the arbitrator
must submit to the parties an itemized bill reflecting the time spent on a case
within 15 days of the date that the arbitrator serves an award in an action;
within 15 days of notice of removal of the case from the program by resolution
or exemption; or within 15 days of notice of change of arbitrator, whichever
date is earliest. If the parties have paid an advance toward the arbitrator’s
fees and costs, the arbitrator shall indicate this advance on the itemized bill
and shall return to the parties any portion of the advance that is over the
amount on the itemized bill.

(C) The fee of the arbitrator must be paid
equally by the parties to the arbitration, and must be paid to the arbitrator
within 10 days of the date that the arbitrator serves the bill reflecting the
fee. If any party fails to pay that party’s portion of the arbitrator’s fee
within the time prescribed in this subdivision, the district court shall, after
giving appropriate notice and opportunity to be heard, enter a judgment and a
writ of execution against the delinquent party for the amount owed by that
party to the arbitrator, plus any costs and attorney’s fees incurred by the
arbitrator in the collection of the fee. If one of the parties to the
arbitration is an indigent person who was exempted pursuant to NRS 12.015 from paying a filing
fee, the arbitrator may not collect a fee from any party to the arbitration.

(D) All disputes regarding the fee of the
arbitrator must be filed with the commissioner within 5 days of the date that
the arbitrator serves the bill reflecting the arbitrator’s fee, and resolved by
the commissioner.

(E) For purposes of this rule, if several
parties are represented by one attorney, they shall be considered one party.

[Added; effective July 1, 1992; amended effective
January 1, 2005.]

C. NEVADA MEDIATION RULES

Rule 1.The court annexed mediation program.

(A) The Court Annexed Mediation Program
(the program) is an alternative to the Court Annexed Arbitration Program and is
intended to provide parties a prompt, equitable and inexpensive method of
dispute resolution for matters otherwise mandated into the arbitration program.

(B) These rules may be known and cited as
the Nevada Mediation Rules, or abbreviated N.M.R.

[Added; effective March 1, 2005.]

Rule 2.Matters entering the mediation program.Any
matter that is otherwise subject to the Court Annexed Arbitration Program may
be voluntarily placed into the Mediation Program. Participation in the
Mediation Program shall be by mutual consent of the parties pursuant to written
stipulation. The stipulation must be filed with the commissioner within 15 days
after the filing of an answer by the first answering defendant. For good cause
shown, an appropriate case may be placed into the program upon the filing of an
untimely stipulation; however, such filing may subject the parties to sanctions
by the commissioner.

[Added; effective March 1, 2005.]

Rule 3. Assignment to mediator.

(A) Parties may stipulate to use a private
mediator who is not on the panel of mediators assigned to the program, or who
is on the panel but who has agreed to serve on a private basis. The private
mediator must possess the qualifications as stated in Rule 4 and must present a
résumé demonstrating said qualifications to the commissioner prior to serving as
mediator. Such stipulation must be made and filed with the commissioner no
later than the date set for the return of the mediator selection list. The
stipulation must include an affidavit that is signed and verified by the
mediator expressing his or her willingness to comply with the timetables set
forth in these rules. Failure to file a timely stipulation shall not preclude
the use of a private mediator, but may subject the dilatory parties to
sanctions by the commissioner.

(B) Any and all fees or expenses related
to the use of a private mediator shall be borne by the parties equally.

(C) Unless the parties have stipulated to
a mediator pursuant to subdivision (A), the commissioner shall serve the two
adverse appearing parties with identical lists of 3 mediators selected at
random from the panel of mediators assigned to the program.

(1) Thereafter the parties shall, within
10 days, file with the commissioner either a private mediator stipulation and
affidavit or each party shall file the selection list with no more than one
name stricken.

(2) If both parties respond, the
commissioner shall appoint a mediator from among those names not stricken.

(3) If only one party responds within the
10-day period, the commissioner shall appoint a mediator from among those names
not stricken.

(4) If neither party responds within the
10-day period, the commissioner shall appoint one of the 3 mediators.

(5) If there are more than 2 adverse
parties, one additional mediator per each additional party shall be added to
the list with the above method of selection and service to apply. For purposes
of this rule, if several parties are represented by one attorney, they shall be
considered as one party.

(D) If the selection process outlined
above fails for any reason, including a recusal by the mediator, the
commissioner shall repeat the process set forth in subdivision (C) of this rule
to select an alternate mediator.

[Added; effective March 1, 2005.]

Rule 4. Qualifications of mediators.

(A) Each commissioner shall create and
maintain a panel of mediators consisting of attorneys licensed to practice law
in Nevada and a separate panel of non-attorney mediators.

(B) Mediators must have the equivalent of
at least 10 years of civil experience as a practicing attorney or judge or must
have the equivalent of at least 5 years’ experience as a mediator or must be a
senior judge or justice.

(C) The panel of mediators shall be
selected by a committee composed of the Chief Judge or the Chief Judge’s
designee, the commissioner and a representative of the Alternative Dispute
Resolution (ADR) Committee of the State Bar of Nevada.

(D) Each mediator who desires to remain on
the panel shall fulfill at least 3 hours of accredited continuing educational
activity in mediation annually and provide proof thereof to the commissioner.
Failure to do so may constitute grounds for temporary suspension or removal
from the panel.

[Added; effective March 1, 2005.]

Rule 5. Stipulations and other documents.During
the course of mediation proceedings commenced under these rules, no documents
may be filed with the district court. All stipulations and other documents
relevant to the mediation proceeding must be lodged with the mediator.

[Added; effective March 1, 2005.]

Rule 6. Scheduling of mediation proceedings.All
mediation proceedings shall take place no later than 60 days from the date of
the mediator’s appointment.

[Added; effective March 1, 2005.]

Rule 7. Conduct of the mediation proceeding.The
mediator shall have complete discretion over the conduct of the proceeding. The
parties present at mediation must have authority to resolve the matter.

[Added; effective March 1, 2005.]

Rule 8. Report to the commissioner.Within
5 days after the conclusion of the mediation proceedings, the mediator shall
file with the commissioner and serve copies on the attorneys of record and on
any unrepresented parties, a report advising whether the matter was resolved,
an impasse has been declared, or that no agreement was reached, or that the matter
has been continued, and whether all requisite parties with authority to resolve
the matter were present. The report will be similar to the settlement
conference report submitted by settlement judges in the appellate settlement
program under NRAP 16(g), and
shall not disclose any matters discussed at the mediation proceedings.

[Added; effective March 1, 2005.]

Rule 9. Matters not resolved in mediation.All
matters not resolved in the program shall forthwith enter the short trial
program set forth in the Nevada Short Trial Rules.

[Added; effective March 1, 2005.]

Rule 10. Fees and costs for mediators.

(A) Mediators shall be entitled to
remuneration of up to $1,000 per case, unless otherwise authorized by the
commissioner for good cause shown.

(B) Mediators are entitled to recover the
costs, not to exceed $250, that the mediator reasonably incurs. Costs
recoverable by the mediator are limited to:

(1) Reasonable costs for facsimiles;

(2) Reasonable costs for photocopies;

(3) Reasonable costs for long distance
telephone calls;

(4) Reasonable costs for postage;

(5) Reasonable costs for travel and
lodging; and

(6) Reasonable costs for secretarial
services.

(C) Fees and costs of the mediator are
paid equally by the parties unless otherwise stipulated.

(D) If required by the mediator, each
party to a case within the program shall deposit with the mediator, within 15
days of request by the mediator, a sum of up to $250 as an advance toward the
mediator’s fees and costs. If any party fails to pay their portion of the
mediator’s fees and costs within the time prescribed in this subsection, the
district court shall, after giving appropriate notice and opportunity to be
heard, enter a judgment and a writ of execution against the delinquent party
for the amount owed by the party to the mediator, together with any fees and
costs incurred by the mediator in the collection of the fees and costs.

(E) If one of the parties to the mediation
is an indigent person who was exempted under NRS 12.015 from paying a filing
fee, the mediator may not collect a fee or costs from any party to the
mediation.

[Added; effective March 1, 2005.]

Rule 11. Confidentiality; immunity of mediators.

(A) Each party involved in a mediation
proceeding pursuant to these rules has a privilege to refuse to disclose, and
to prevent any person present at the proceeding from disclosing, communications
made during the proceeding. All oral or written communications in a mediation
proceeding, other than an executed settlement agreement, shall be confidential
and inadmissible as evidence in any subsequent legal proceeding, unless all
parties agree otherwise.

(B) Mediators in the program shall be
afforded the statutory immunity provided by NRS 48.109 and also shall be
afforded the same statutory immunity as arbitrators pursuant to NRS 38.229 and 38.253.